FIVE EASY WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY

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We can all agreed that health is important but I’ve realized more than ever that if we don’t have our health, we truly don’t have anything. I’ve always been a “health freak” ever since I was in middle school, so it was easier for me to make better eating decisions growing up. However, I know this isn’t the case for a lot of people and it can be difficult especially if you don’t already have healthy habits. I’m here to show you that being and staying healthy can be quite easy with just five tips and strategies that you can use in your life.

The best part is that you can introduce these tips gradually over time and I promise that once you incorporate it into your routine, it won’t seem like a chore but rather part of your lifestyle. Some may seem simple and a no brainer, but I want you to actually ask yourself if you do this on a daily basis. If the answer is yes, then I’m totally sending you a high five through the screen. But if the answer is no, maybe or sometimes, then definitely make it a priority.

1. Drink a gallon of water a day: Yes, we have heard this a million times but hydration is everything. I personally drink more than a gallon of water a day and I find it easy because I always reach for water whenever I’m thirsty. In order for you to make this a habit, wake up and drink a glass of water to start your day. If you are eating out, try to have a glass of water before your meal and always bring a water bottle if you’re on the go. Water also helps with getting in tuned with your eating habits because most of the time, we are actually thirsty and not hungry. If plain water isn’t your thing, add some lemon or fruits for some extra flavor.
2. Incorporate superfoods into your diet: When I discovered flaxseeds about a year ago, I was adding it into everything including eggs, salads and oatmeals. I then became obsessed with chia seeds and started to have that with my smoothies and oatmeals. And just recently, I have been on a nutritional yeast phase and I absolutely love it! These little additions have great nutritional value and add more fiber to your meals so you can stay fuller longer. The best part is that most of them don’t really have a taste so it’s not a huge deal when you’re adding this to what you’re already eating. Definitely look into superfoods and slowly add them to your meals for an extra nutritional boost.
3. Have lemon + Apple Cider Vinegar: There’s actually different variations to this because I know not a lot of people are a fan of apple cider vinegar. I wasn’t crazy about it in the beginning, but it’s an acquired taste that I’ve adopted. In the morning, I love having hot water with lemon and apple cider vinegar because it’s a great body detox and aids in digestion. You can also try lemon, ginger and tea or add some turmeric and almond milk. Try to experiment with what works best for you but I would recommend sticking with a few of those ingredients.
4. Take Stairs/ Walk more: As a New Yorker, this isn’t really a problem for me, but for those who drive, I’m sure it is! We can all be extremely lazy and an easy way to combat that is making a cautious decision to overcome it. If you are driving, try to park a few blocks away from your destination, so you can get in those extra steps. If you take public transportation, always opt for stairs over elevators or escalators. This simple alternative will help you with exercise and it’s really the little changes that make the biggest difference.
5. Have a balanced meal: I eat healthy for the most part but I don’t cut out carbs or desserts. I believe in having a well balanced diet so when you’re examining the foods you eat, make sure you have a good amount of fat, carb and protein in each meal. The more colors the better, but try not to have your plate be a majority of one food group. I am actually a huge fan of salads and I know that a lot of people think they’re boring but there’s actually so many ways to spice it up and make it delicious. It’s all about the ingredients so try to add other items that usually aren’t in your typical salad like fruits, granola, etc.

I hope you guys found this post helpful and can incorporate at least one or two of these tips into your routine. It’s all about creating healthy habits over time, which can eventually develop into your lifestyle naturally. Let me know what your other tips are in staying healthy!